This dog is generally considered in Germany to be of a pure and independent breed, for a long time confined to the mountain chain and high forests of Southern and Central Europe, extending through Germany and. into Prance, where he is probably the original of the basset a jambes torses. The old English turnspit somewhat resembled him, but differed in his ears, which were more terrier-like, and also in his nose, which had even less of the hound character than that of the dachshund.

During the last ten or fifteen years this breed has been largely imported into. England, where it has also been bred by the Earl of Onslow, Mr. Schweizer, and Mr. Fisher (a most successful exhibitor), and to a small extent in the Royal as well as several private kennels. Several hundred specimens have been imported and sold by Mr. Schuller, and the breed has been well tried in England as badger dogs, as well as for hare hunting. Opinions differ as to their merits in these capacities, some declaring, with Mr. Barclay Hanbury, that they are inferior to our. own beagles and terriers; while others, including Mr. Schweizer - whose German proclivities may, however, render him partial - maintain that a good one will face any badger with as much pluck as our gamest terrier. The balance of evidence in my possession is, however, strongly against this last opinion, and I think.it may be alleged that any of our terriers will beat him in going to ground to fox or badger. As to nose, I am induced to believe that it is, on the average, better than that of our modern beagles, who. certainly do not equal in that respect the old miniature southern hounds, which in my young days used to be commonly met with throughout England.

Dr. L. J. Fitzinger, in his book on dogs, mentions twelve varieties of the dachshund, but it is generally believed that all but one of these are cross-bred. The one pure strain is that described by him as der krummbeinige, or crooked-legged, which is known in this country as the dachshund par excellence, and will be alluded to here only. This dog, in proportion to his height and weight, possesses great strength; but his muscular power can be better displayed in digging than in running, wherein his remarkable short and crooked fore legs render his gait ungainly and rolling to a degree amounting to the ridiculous; hence his use in Germany is mainly to mark the badger or fox to his earth, for which also his keen nose is well suited; and, as the entrance to the sleeping chamber of the former is kept as small as is consistent with his size, the dachshund is able to dig away the earth, so as to reach the exact spot, which his tongue at the same time serves to show his master, and thus enable him to dig down to it. In the extensive vineyards of Germany and France, which are often on hillsides, the badger makes numerous earths, and here he is diligently pursued by the peasants, either from love of sport or to get rid of a troublesome intruder.

The dachshund is also used for driving deer to the gun; but for this purpose the straight-legged cross, geradbeinige dachshund, is most in demand, which variety is generally also larger in size and more hound-like in character. In constitution the dog is hardy, but in temper somewhat wild and headstrong, so that he is often difficult to get under command when once on the scent. He is also snappish in kennel, and inclined to fight on the slightest provocation, or often without it. His tongue is loud and shrill, without the deep bell-note of the old-fashioned hound. The best breeds are met with in the vicinity of the Schwarzwald, Stuttgard, Lonberg, and Eberstein, near Baden Baden. Mr. Fisher's celebrated dogs are from the kennels of Prince Edward of Saxe-Weimar.

The 'points of the dachshund are as follows in numerical value and description. For much valuable information on this breed I am indebted to Dr. Fitzinger's work (kindly translated for me by Mr. Perceval de Castro, of Kensington, who is an enthusiastic lover of the dachshund), Prince Albert Solms, Mr. Barclay Hanbury, Mr. Fisher, Mr. Schuller, and Mr. Schweizer.

Points Of The Dachshund

Grand Total 100.